Well-drilled Socceroos can avoid defeat to Denmark

World Cup Group C
ITV, 1pm Thursday

Australia's 2-1 loss to France was their fourth successive World Cup finals defeat but they look good value to stop the rot by taking at least a point against Denmark in Samara.

It can be difficult to recover from a first match loss but the Australian camp is in no mood to panic.

Bert van Marwijk's side were given very little chance against France but it was a largely even contest decided by a fortuitous winning goal.

Losing was hard on the Socceroos but they would always have expected the Denmark and Peru matches to be key to their push for a last-16 berth.

There has been speculation that Van Marwijk will freshen up his attack by considering lively 19-year-old Melbourne City winger Daniel Arzani but the Dutchman may not want to change too much after such an encouraging performance.

Australia defended well against the French – restricting them to 12 shots – and held their own in the midfield exchanges, where Aaron Mooy excelled with his industry and use of the ball.

A win against Denmark would put Australia right back in the mix and a draw wouldn't be disastrous, keeping them in contention before the contest with Peru in Moscow.

Denmark are in a stronger position but could count themselves fortunate after defeating Peru 1-0 in Saransk.

Star man Christian Eriksen provided a match-winning moment of quality by laying on the winning goal for Yussuf Poulsen.

However, the overall Danish performance was a disappointment and they relied on a combination of good fortune, good goalkeeping -Kasper Schmeichel had a solid game - and poor Peruvian finishing to take three points.

They also picked up a couple of injuries, with holding midfielder William Kvist and Andreas Christensen failing to finish the match.
Kvist's World Cup is over and Denmark have no natural replacement to do his unsung work in front of the back four.

Lasse Schone was subbed on against Peru but was less effective at stemming the flow of Peruvian attacks and Schmeichel's clean sheet was more down to luck than judgement.

Match reports

France v Australia

Peru v Denmark

Australia do not possess as much attacking quality as Peru but are an aggressive well-organised side who will play to their strengths.

And from a defensive perspective they make no bones about their intention to snuff out Danish dangerman Eriksen.

Speaking of Eriksen, Mooy said, “We have to keep a close eye on him and try and stop the supply to him. We have to do it together as a team.”

Eriksen is no bigger than 6-1 to score the opening goal but that is entirely understandable given his 11-goal contribution in qualifying.

However, aside from Eriksen and the pacy Poulsen, there is little else to concern the Australians, who are a solid wager to avoid defeat and keep their round-of-16 hopes alive.

Recommendation
Australia or draw double chance
1pt 17-20 bet365, BetBright

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The lowdown

Denmark
Team news
William Kvist (ribs) misses the rest of the tournament but Jonas Knudsen has returned to the squad following the birth of his baby daughter.

Strengths
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is a reliable last line of defence and Christian Eriksen is their go-to man in attack.

Weaknesses
William Kvist's injury leaves them short of a natural holding midfielder and they lack a top quality centre-forward.

Key man
Eriksen had a quiet game against Peru but popped up with a match-winning pass. Stop him and Denmark have very few alternative routes to goal.

Australia
Team news
All 23 Australia players have trained fully but Bert van Marwijk may be reluctant to make changes after his team performed so well against France.

Strengths
The midfield excelled against France with Mile Jedinak using his physical presence and Aaron Mooy impressing with and without the ball.

Weaknesses
There is an obvious lack of quality up front and there are still calls for 38-year-old offensive midfielder Tim Cahill to be brought into the side.

Star man
Mooy set the tone against France with his energy and enthusiasm. He will be key to knocking the Danes off their stride.

Key stat
Australia have scored in five of their last six fixtures.

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